Subcommittee Descriptions

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The Thermal Efficiency Task Force has six sub-committees in the following areas: residential services; multi-family; commercial services; energy service providers; finance and funding; and planning and measurement.

The subcommittee will first complete an assessment of what residential thermal efficiency programs/services currently exist in the state and then complete recommendations for improved coordination between the programs/services to ensure a one-stop path for consumers.

Program/Services Assessment:

Gaps in existing programs/services for particular consumers (including low and middle income consumers, renters, and historic home owners);

Best practices for existing programs/services.

Coordination Development/Improvement:

After completing the assessment the subcommittee will develop recommendations designed to achieve, a smooth “one-stop” approach to energy efficiency projects. Tasks will include:

Developing a plan to address any major gaps in the consumer/market sectors.

Mapping out a clear, simple process that service providers can implement and consumers can follow to quickly and easily make energy efficiency improvements in their homes. This should include consideration of various consumers having different points of entry and/or program support.

Developing recommendations for integrating delivery of thermal energy efficiency with increased use of renewables for heating (such as biomass and geothermal systems).

Developing an outreach/coordination plan to ensure ongoing coordination between programs and energy service providers.

Designating a central location, through a coordinated website perhaps, to be the statewide repository for information and advice on all programs/services available in the state.

LIHEAP/Weatherization Improvement Subgroup:

Building on the recent work by the state Fuel Assistance Office, assess the current level of integration and coordination between LIHEAP and the state Weatherization program and provide recommendations for improving the delivery of whole building efficiency services to LIHEAP recipients.

The subcommittee will first complete an assessment of what commercial thermal efficiency programs/services currently exist in the state and then complete recommendations for improved coordination between the programs/services to ensure a one-stop path for consumers/business owners.

The subcommittee will first complete an assessment of what commercial thermal efficiency programs/services currently exist in the state and then complete recommendations for improved coordination between the programs/services to ensure a one-stop path for consumers/business owners.

This subcommittee will focus on building and improving energy service providers/companies capacity and knowledge. Tasks will include:

Developing an Outreach and Training Plan: to ensure that information and adequate training is being provided to energy service providers in a timely, ongoing fashion.

Assess how current and potential energy service providers, including local fuel dealers, can best be encouraged to fully participate in existing thermal efficiency programs/incentives.

Assess what contractors, fuel dealers, and other small business or self employed Vermonters need to be able to offer efficiency home improvement services and to adequately increase the pace of completed energy efficiency projects (training in whole building performance services, business planning, sales and marketing skills, etc.).

Identify areas of the state lacking effective programs or an adequate number of service providers and develop a plan to build that capacity where needed.

This subcommittee will make recommendations regarding the level of money needed to achieve the state’s thermal efficiency goals and will identify financing mechanisms and funding sources to get us there. This subcommittee may divide into Residential and Commercial subgroups. Tasks will include:

This subcommittee will recommend systems to measure progress; track results and benefits; and develop interim benchmarks and a roadmap, to meet the state’s building efficiency goals. Tasks will include:

Assessing where Vermont currently stands relative to the statutory goals for improving the energy efficiency of Vermont homes and other buildings (including non-program participants).

Developing a tracking process to ensure the state will have an accurate count of how many buildings have been improved and an accurate picture of the extent and cost/benefits of those improvements (including non-program participants).

Recommending a designated entity to be responsible for measuring progress and making the information publicly available.

Developing a timeline, which includes interim benchmarks, for meeting the state’s building efficiency goals.

Coordinating the findings from the other subcommittees to draft a roadmap to meeting the state’s building efficiency goals.